We’re betting management in the SEC had circled Saturday on their calendar as soon as John Calipari left Memphis for Kentucky, because that means that Calipari and Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl will meet twice a year now. Calipari’s Wildcats will look to defend their home court when Pearl’s Volunteers come to Lexington on Saturday night.

Tennessee vs Kentucky odds – Saturday, February 13, 9:00 PM ET

The No.12 Volunteers (18-5, 6-3) were thumped 90-71 at Vanderbilt in their last outing, and they may have been looking ahead to Kentucky already, and got caught by an underrated Commodores squad. Still, the Volunteers are in the hunt in the SEC, and senior forward Wayne Chism has stepped up his game, averaging 20.5 points over his last four games.

The No.3 Wildcats (23-3, 8-1) have won four straight since they were upset at South Carolina, and freshman center DeMarcus Cousins is working on a streak of seven double-doubles in a row, including 16 points and 13 boards in a 66-55 win over Alabama.

The Wildcats will be favored at home, where they are 16-0 this year, and Tennessee has lost eight of their last nine trips. The matchup between Chism and Cousins in the post will be one to watch, but that will also free up Patrick Patterson for Kentucky. Calipari and Pearl split their four meetings when the two faced off, and to break the tie, Calipari will use a wicked homecourt advantage, as well as a huge inside presence in Cousins and Patterson, to take game one of this anticipated series.

NCAA basketball betting pick: Kentucky

NBA betting players are still gung ho on the Los Angeles Lakers to defend their championship, but they’ve had the benefit of an easy schedule over the first half of the season, and now they have some injury concerns as they head into the All-Star break.

Kobe Bryant has been saddled with a broken finger and back spasms, but it’s an ankle injury that is keeping the former MVP and Olympian out of the lineup. Bryant’s left ankle was already sore before Lamar Odom stepped on it in a 99-97 win over Charlotte last Wednesday, a win that gave Phil Jackson the lead for most wins by a Laker coach. Bryant still scored 33 points in a loss in Denver, but then sat out wins over Portland and San Antonio. Andrew Bynum is also on the injured list with a bruised hip, and if the Lakers have their way, both of their starters will sit out until after the All-Star break. The Lakers will head to Utah on Wednesday night, and while Bynum is unlikely to play, Bryant said he will be a gametime decision. This is where Jackson has to pull rank and order Bryant to sit, as well as passing on the All-Star game (or at least play minimal minutes). The Lakers have a hard road to go until they get to the playoffs, as 17 of their last 28 games will be on the road, and while some point to a more balanced offense and more passing when Bryant is out, the Lakers are only 19-23 without their leader since 2003-04, and it’s an understatement to say that their NBA odds stand a better chance with Bryant in the lineup.

If you’re watching the Super Bowl line, you may have missed some big NBA news regarding New Orleans, who were just starting to get on a roll, but now will be without their star for a while.

This team is built around the skills and fire of Chris Paul, who was averaging 20.4 points, 11.2 assists and 2.3 steals before tearing his meniscus. Paul will be out one or two months, but probably closer to two if he wants it to heal fully. The Hornets were 12-5 in January and were starting to turn the corner, and now, they have to turn the team over to rookie Darren Collison, who has played very well with the increased minutes. Collison had 17 points and 18 assists in a win at Memphis in his first game after Paul was injured. The Hornets were 4-4 earlier this season when Paul missed eight games with an ankle injury in late November, but if Collison keeps playing like this, the Hornets should be fine. The biggest worry will come from David West, who was an All-Star with Paul in the past, and thrives off the pick-and-roll he runs with Paul. Collison will have to step up in a hurry if the Hornets want to keep their NBA betting odds alive.

While everyone in New Orleans is looking ahead to Super Bowl betting, the New Orleans Hornets have a chance to win their way back into a playoff spot against the Memphis Grizzlies. When these teams hook up on Saturday at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, it will pit two of four teams that are ranked sixth to 10^th in the Western Conference; all of whom are within a game of one another.

New Orleans is coming off a game last night at home against Chicago, and with the last meeting with Memphis ending in a tight 113-111 win, the Hornets will be hard pressed on the road. Chris Paul is again leading the Hornets to a winning record almost single handily. Leading the League in assists (11.1) and his team in points (20.5) and steals (2.3), the Wake Forest product is on a short list of MVP candidates yet again. Emeka Okafor and David West anchor a solid frontcourt however neither are a dominant force that can win a game without the skills of West. Scoring over a point less a game then their opponents and being just 9-16 on the road, this will be a tough game for the Hornets.

Memhis is the Cinderella story of this season. Expected to be in another rebuilding season and struggling for wins, the young group has pulled together and is in the heart of the playoff race. They are coming home after a game in San Antonio however being as young as they are, it should not have a large effect on them. Zach Randolph has gotten back to his dedicated ways and is joins Chris Bosh as the only players in the league averaging over 20 points (21) and 10 rebounds (11.6) and has garnished All Star recognition. Along with Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo, who are averaging 20.4 and 18.1 points, this is a very young group of players, average age of 24.4, that is making noise in the deepest division in basketball.

This game should be hotly contested and the people doing 5dimes reviews know that being at home and being on the hot streak that they are the Grizzlies should be able to pull this one out and put some distance between them and the Hornets.

While everyone checks out their Super Bowl odds for this weekend, take a look at a very good NBA matchup that will take place on Saturday night as Oklahoma City heads to Cleveland to meet the Cavaliers.

Thunder vs Cavaliers odds – Saturday, January 23, 7:30 PM ET

This will be the last of a four-game road trip for the Thunder, and for a young team, they’re great defensively, coming in sixth in the league. Combine that with Kevin Durant, who is third in the NBA in scoring, and the Thunder could be scary in the playoffs.

The Cavaliers are coming off a big win over the Lakers on Thursday, but LeBron James will have a bigger load to carry. Mo Williams will be out for 4-6 weeks thanks to a shoulder injury, and he was their second scoring option. This means Delonte West and Anthony Parker have to step up to help James.

The Cavs should pull out the win, as the Thunder play Friday night in Memphis, and they’re 4-4 in the second half of back-to-back games. James and the Cavs have the defense and experience to jump on the Thunder when they falter.

Internet sports betting pick: Cleveland

Even though NFL betting will be the main course on the menu this weekend, check out this intriguing NBA betting matchup between Cleveland and the Los Angeles Clippers, who have surprised some sportsbook players this season.

Cavaliers vs Clippers odds – Saturday, January 16, 10:30 PM ET

The Cavaliers were stunned by a late three in a loss to Utah on Thursday, so you know they’ll be hungry to come out and play on Saturday. LeBron James should be headed for another MVP award if he keeps putting up huge numbers, and the King has averaged 34.4 points, 8.0 boards and 8.0 assists in his last five games.

The Clippers had lost two straight games before playing the Lakers on Friday, but prior to that, they had a four-game winning streak. Baron Davis has been playing well, averaging 19.4 points and 10.2 assists in his last five games.

The Cavs will probably be favored on the road with eight wins in their last nine meetings with the Clippers, who have to face Cleveland and the Lakers in back-to-back nights. The Clippers are 4-4 in the second half of back-to-back games this year, but against the toughest teams in the league? It doesn’t look good.

US sportsbook pick (US sportsbook reviews): Cleveland

This weekend is as jammed as sports weekends can be, with the Daytona 500 odds and NBA betting colliding during the NBA All-Star Weekend.

So many events to ponder now, so I’ll cut right to the chase with my basketball betting picks here.

ROOKIE GAME: Basically, it’s Derrick Rose vs Kevin Durant. The Sophomores have won six straight, but I’m calling an upset here. Rose, Mayo and Oden will lead the way for the rooks. Pick ‘em at your sportsbook!

SKILLS CHALLENGE: Online betting fans should go with Tony Parker. No pressure on him and he can handle the ball with the best of ‘em.

H-O-R-S-E: Kevin Durant. The NBA betting community will awaken to his skills this weekend.

THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT: Kapono just doesn’t seem to have it this year, so why bet on him? Try Rashard Lewis or Danny Granger. Let’s go with Granger.

DUNK CONTEST: When superstars play in this contest, they usually win. So NBA betting fans should stick with defending champ Dwight Howard here and hope he pulls off a nice followup to this:

ALL-STAR GAME: LeBron runs this show now in the NBA All-Star game lines…he’ll team up with Howard and D-Wade to lead the East to its fourth victory in five years.

Or at least he will be. Sports betting fans should have Daytona 500 betting, NCAA basketball odds and the NBA All-Star game circled on their calendars over the next little while. Sadly, TNT’s coverage of the All-Star game won’t feature Sir Charles. Chuck has been hidden away since he was nailed for a DUI last month while driving to ‘get a blowjob’.

Barkley will return, however, once the festivites close. Here’s a taste of what we can look forward to once he returns.

March Madness betting fans wait every year for the tradition - the NCAA Tournament. That’s because everyone loves the upsets.

Here’s an update on all the key dates for the 2009 March Madness Tournament:

Selection Sunday: March 15, 2009 - NCAA basketball odds will be posted

Opening Round Game: March 17, 2009 - Play-in game

First Round: March 19-20, 2009 - That’s the day when 12 seeds upend 5 seeds on the college basketball point spread

Second Round: March 21-22, 2009

Third Round: March 26-27, 2009

Fourth Round: March 28-29, 2009 - Final Four odds will be posted

Final Four: April 4 & 6, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

Every year, sportsbook players and casual fans alike argue over who should have made the All-Star team and who should have not. With the rosters set for 2009 NBA All-Star betting , here is a look at the All-Snub Team for this year (all statistics are from February 2).

Center - David Lee, New York

Lee is putting up 15.9 points and 11.7 boards, and has probably put himself at the top of this year’s free-agent list. Lee’s never said an ill word while playing his heart out in the wasteland that is the Knicks’ franchise, and while he’ll miss the All-Star game, he’ll be rewarded this summer.

Forward – Al Jefferson, Minnesota

Jefferson is one of three players in the league to put up 20/10 numbers (23.2 points, 10.6 boards). If the Timberwolves can hold onto Jefferson and rookie Kevin Love, Minnesota will have one of the best young post duos in the league.

Forward – Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City

The reigning Rookie of the Year will probably take his frustrations out in the Rookie game, and the lanky forward is the highest-scoring player left out of the All-Star game. His team is just too terrible, but if Durant continues to improve, an All-Star nod will be the least of his accomplishments by the time he’s through.

Guard – Ray Allen, Boston

It’s hard to feel bad for an 8-time All-Star, but Allen’s probably been the most consistent of the Celtics’ “Big Three” this season. Allen is putting up 18.0 points and dropping treys at a 41.1% clip, as well as 49.7% from the field and 94.0% from the foul line. Allen can take consolation in the fact that his Celtics still have great NBA betting odds to repeat as world champions.

Guard – Mo Williams, Cleveland

Williams is probably the top off-season acquisition of the campaign so far, becoming a valuable second option to LeBron James for the Cavaliers. Williams’ ability to run the team while James is on the bench will leave Cleveland’s MVP fresher for the postseason, which will be a huge boost to the Cavaliers’ NBA betting odds.